| Description | Letter written from Howth House, Howth, dated 25 June. The letter is about the case of Mr [William] Bourke Kirwan who was convicted of murdering his wife. The letter is written in reply to an enquiry from Churton Collins (1848-1908; literary critic and scholar). Boyd provides information about the case, and expresses his opinion - previously published in a pamphlet - that Bourke Kirwan was innocent.
The trial referred to took place c1852-1853. Bourke Kirwan was given a prison sentence rather than the death sentence due to inconclusive evidence. He was released on the expiration of his sentence, and moved to America. |